VANESSA Feltz, has been waking the nation up with her BBC Radio 2 show for years.
The host and former Celebrity Big Brother star, has provided some of the most memorable moments of UK reality show history – here’s everything you need to know about her.
Who is Vanessa Feltz?
Vanessa Feltz was born in London in 1962, and studied at the prestigious Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls and Trinity College, Cambridge.
The 58-year-old became a journalist after graduating from uni – often specialising in sex tips – before replacing Paula Yates for the “On the Bed” interviews on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast.
She went on to have her own ITV daytime chat show, Vanessa, before moving to the BBC to present The Vanessa Show, which followed a similar format.
However, The Vanessa Show suffered controversy and was eventually cancelled when it was alleged some of the “guests” were actors.
Vanessa has had a BBC Radio London show since joining the local station in 2001, and took over the early morning BBC Radio 2 slot back in 2011 – her show is aired from 5.00am-6.30am.
What is her net worth?
According to several online sources, Vanessa Feltz has an estimated net worth of $52 million (£38 million).
The figure is mainly driven by her annual salary for her radio gig at BBC Radio 2
In 2018’s BBC talent list, Vanessa’s salary with the corporation was listed at £330,000-£339,000.
Fiancé Ben Ofoedu defended her for her earning saying “she’s good at what she does”.
He told Woman Magazine in 2018: “She doesn’t actually drive a hard bargain at all. Vanessa does the job that no-one else can do — she can go from radio to entertainment shows to reality.
“I’d like to see another woman as intelligent as Vanessa, she has to come down from her intelligence to chat with people in conversations.”
In 2020 it’s now £405,000 – 409,999, which is an increase of £50,000 on last year.
Is Vanessa married and does she have children?
Vanessa was married to surgeon Michael Kurer for 17 years, until their divorce in 2000.
They have two daughters together, Allegra and Saskia.
She is also a grandmother to Zeke and Neroli with a third due in 2019.
In 2006, she got engaged to singer-songwriter Ben Ofoedu.
Although they were due to marry in 2007, and then again in 2011, no wedding has yet taken place, with Vanessa explaining that her previous marital experience was holding her back.
They currently live together in St John’s Wood, London, in a house previously owned by art king Charles Saatchi.
What TV shows has she been in?
Vanessa took part in Celebrity Fit Club and made three appearances on the Weakest Link, as well as appeared on series 11 of Strictly Come Dancing in 2013.
However, partnered with James Jordan – who appeared on CBB himself last year – she only lasted three weeks, and was the second celebrity to be voted out.
Vanessa also appeared on the final, a special series of Big Brother on Channel 4, Ultimate Big Brother, in 2010.
The series, which eventually saw Brian Dowling crowned the “Ultimate Housemate”, brought together the most memorable Big Brother contestants of all time.
